Stacey and the Mystery of Stoneybrook is the 35th book in the original series of The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin.
Back Cover Summary[]
Unlike Claudia and Dawn, Stacey's never been much for mysteries and ghost stories. But when she and Charlotte Johanssen hear terrible noises coming out of the old Hennessey place, Stacey thinks the Baby-sitters definitely have a mystery on their hands.
Mallory claims the house once made her have a horrible nightmare. And Kristy discovers that it was built on top of a graveyard!
Does Stoneybrook have a real, live haunted house? The Baby-sitters are going to find out—no matter how scary it maybe be!
Summary[]
Subplot[]
Charlotte is staying with Stacey for a week because her paternal grandfather needs an operation.
Characters[]
Stacey's Family
BSC Members
Kids
- Lucy and Jamie Newton (mentioned)
- David Michael Thomas
- Charlotte Johanssen
- Becca Ramsey (mentioned)
- Karen Brewer
- Andrew Brewer
- Emily Michelle Brewer
- Myriah and Gabbie Perkins
- Jordan, Adam, Byron, Vanessa, Nicky, Margo, and Claire Pike
- Suzi and Buddy Barrett (mentioned)
Teenagers
- Laine Cummings (mentioned)
- Bruce Schermerhorn - shelver at the library (mentioned)
- Sam Thomas (mentioned)
- Charlie Thomas (mentioned)
Adults
- Dr. Werner (mentioned)
- Mrs. Newton (mentioned)
- Dr. Dellenkamp
- Nannie (mentioned)
- Watson Brewer (mentioned)
- Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer (mentioned)
- Mrs. Perkins (mentioned)
- Rioko Kishi
- John Pike (mentioned)
- Ronald Hennessey
- Mr. and Dr. Johanssen
Locations[]
- New York City
- McGill House
- Kishi House
- Brewer/Thomas House
- Stoneybrook Public Library
- Pike House
- Stoneybrook Manor
Pop Culture and Real Life References[]
- Charlotte's Web, The Long Winter, Summer of My German Soldier, The Oz Series, The Ghostbusters, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, The Little House, (books)
- Clue, Chutes & Ladders, (board game)
- The Cosby Show
- The Amityville Horror, Pet Semetary, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz (movies)
- Readers Digest, Highlights for Children (magazines)
- Elvis
- The Hard Rock Cafe
- Annie songs
- Sleeping Beauty
- Burger King
- Stephen King
- Batman
Continuity and Inconsistencies[]
Continuity
- On page 31 Stacey recalls when Charlotte stayed at Camp Mohawk in Baby-sitters' Summer Vacation.
- On page 62 Stacey mentions Scott Foley from Boy-Crazy Stacey.
- The events of Mallory and the Mystery Diary was mentioned on page 71.
Inconsistencies
- Stacey says that it’s hard to imagine anyone else as president of the club and that Kristy has never missed a meeting. But she missed one in Kristy and the Snobs when Louie was sick.
- Stacey says that when Charlotte went to camp she was fine, but Charlotte was homesick the entire time. But Stacey could’ve meant that Charlotte was physically fine while at camp.
- When Charlie and Sam explain to Stacey that a workman was responsible for the small fire she saw, they also tell her that his was probably the face she saw at the window. But Stacey saw the face at the window the first time she and Charlotte visited, and the fire the second time.
Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter[]
Dear Reader,
I have loved scary stories ever since I was little. I always headed straight for the mystery section of our library, and each summer I read mystery after mystery. I especially liked the scary Nancy Drew titles, and I wanted to solve a mystery myself. Unfortunately, I never stumbled upon a mystery to solve like Stacey in Stacey and the Mystery of Stoneybrook.
Even now I like to read scary books and see scary movies. Sometimes I look away when the movie gets really scary, but I still love it. I live in a very old house out in the country, and people always ask me if it’s haunted. I haven’t seen a ghost yet, but I’m always on the lookout.
Trivia[]
- Book number 35 was originally supposed to be called Stacey and the New Kids on the Block and have a plot revolving around foster children. Around the time #32-34 were being published, #35 was advertised as having that name. However, the title and plot line changed due to potential confusion over the boy band of the same name, which had become very popular in the time from the planning of the book to the publication. The plot about foster children was also changed to a later book, Kristy and the Worst Kid Ever. Ann M. Martin's Dear Reader Letter published in the reprint edition of the book discusses this change.
- Edward knows the owner of the local Chinese restaurant, Mr. Lee, in the old neighborhood called Hunan Supreme.
- Stacey acknowledges that her diabetes is getting out of control, which foreshadows Stacey's Emergency.
- The sitting job for Charlotte was also offered to Jessi.
- Stacey says that she always wanted a brother or sister growing up.
- This is the first time a sitting job takes place overnight and at a sitter’s house that’s not for a sibling.
- Stacey teaches Charlotte how to play War.
- This is a first time a sitting charge comes to a BSC meeting and she answers the phone.
- Jobs scheduled but never seen includes: Dawn for the Rodowskys, Mary Anne with Jenny Prezzioso, Claudia for the Perkins girls (the second time),
- Stacey mentions that she likes the color pink.
- Claudia researches the house at the library by looking at old town records.
- Claudia uses a neon pink pen regularly.
- This is one of the few books where the mystery isn't really a mystery.